CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
The countess wasted no time in taking Gabrelle to a quiet room right at the bottom of the castle. It was eerie and disturbing, but Gabrelle knew that she had to work on the task at hand. There were extra lamps lit for her benefit and while she got to reading the book her mind wandered to Count Samsidion. She was disappointed when she awoke, and he was nowhere to be seen but because of her polite manner she dared not ask the countess any questions pertaining to her son. Today saw a weather of pity rainfall and chill booming the atmosphere. Gabrelle understood that Count Samsidion and his brother would welcome this weather because it meant that they could go outside. Nottingham was very selfish when it came to the weather. They mostly enjoyed boisterous sunlight which was against the favor of the undead. Immersed into the book, Gabrelle gave it her entire consumption and concentration. Eventually she had cracked the code. Apparently, her grandmother had helped a landowner and his family with an amulet that had helped them survive the sun rays amongst other magical. She had to search for a stone that changed colors. It was a rare stone but plentiful across the seas in an Asian country. An entire stone was not needed but a pittance was the key to the amulet being strong. If that was not the tough part, the ending was the worse. After the jewel was set in metal, it would have to be bewitched. Gabrelle sat on the chair, bent her shoulders and held her head framed in two hands. It was impossible and it would that was not all; finding a witch would be a miracle. Witches were hidden because they were afraid of being burnt at the stake. It was the clergy people that ran the world. Gabrelle was at a loss; this maze that entrapped her made her frustrated. These people had counted on her and now she would be the bearer of bad news. Her heart ached; her feelings for Samsidion were growing in leaps and bounds and even though she was smart enough to know that they can never be together it still broke her into two that she cannot help him. She wondered with solidity of a massive rock even under normal circumstances if she would be accepted by the countess. She shook her head. This was just mad thinking and right now all she needed was to remember who she was and what her objective was. She was at a dead end. The first obstacle was to find the stone and even if they accomplished that then where will they get the witch. It was not as though witches were growing on trees. She needed to find Samsidion and speak to him immediately. He will be able to find a solution. They were almost there, and it was just a matter of two obstacles, and they will be free and clear. She closed the book, left it on the table and tuned to walk away. Upon instinct she went back and grabbed the book before running through the tiny cave of the dungeon. The castle was quiet and while she was not fully accustomed of the rooms because of the massive size, she found the library easily. It was the countess that responded to her tap and acknowledged her by inviting her in.
"Contessa," she greeted her amicably, careful not to overstep her boundaries.
The countess was seated at the desk, reading but she looked up and motioned Gabrelle to come forward. "Do I dare to believe that you come bearing good news?"
Gabrelle was tempted to tell her, but she needed to confer first with Samsidion. Her hesitation was recognized by the austere lady, but she remained quiet. "I was hoping to speak to Samsidion," she stopped in her speech, guilty that she had used his name. "I mean Count Samsidion." She finished off lamely and she knew that the countess was no one's fool.
Countess Arabella took a moment to think and then just when Gabrelle thought that she will break into a conversation built from wrath she spoke with a gentle disposition. "My son normally spends his day in the saloon reading." She saw the look of loss on Gabrelle`s face and astonished her by saying. "Have a cup of tea with me and then I will take you to him."
Gabrelle nodded. A cup of tea would be most welcome. The countess rang the bell and it surprising that a lady in waiting arrived promptly and took the instruction and left.
It would be the countess that would break the ice. "You seem to have taken quite the dazzle with my son child." That statement stunned Gabrelle and she knew that she should not wear her heart on her sleeve. Right now, she needed to proceed with caution. She knew that the countess was polite because she was relying on Gabrelle to be off service to them. "I have got to know the Count as we have travelled together, and I do feel a piety to his plight."
The countess gave out a light laugh but Gabrelle heard the lack of humor. "He is a good lad unlike his younger brother who feels flustered by life itself." Gabrelle heard the sadness and if she had this conversation a week ago, she would have felt no remorse but having been introduced to Count Samsidion, she had a change of heart. It is true what her mother had said. No man should be judged without a hearing to his plight. And that is how Gabrelle had garnered the word plight. She was saved by the virtual bell of not speaking as the servant brought in the tea. She served both the Countess and Gabrelle before making a quiet exit. Gabrelle sipped her tea with delight and as the weather was dull, the tea gave her a refreshing jolt of rejuvenation.
Once they were done, the countess stared Gabrelle hard in the face which was a bit daunting and frightening. "Come child," she relaxed a little. "Let me take you to the Count." Before they could leave the room, the countess paused and addressed Gabrelle. "It would be futile to harbor forces of emotions towards my son." It was sullen, masterfully skilled and she got her message across with just one arrow that pierced Gabrelle straight in her gullible heart.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Count Samsidion was sitting in the parlor with a book in his hands. He
looked vulnerable as he curled up cross legged on the sofa. He was deep into the pages, but his reflex was quick as he looked up and saw them walk in. Gabrelle knew that look her wore. It was optimistic and she was always the bearer of bad news.
"Well, I will leave you'll to it." The countess was not a fan of hovering and Gabrelle knew that she was unhappy that she would not be privy to the conversation. She had a bright idea. Perhaps if she invited her to stay then they can all put their heads together.
"Contessa," Gabrelle was quick and executed her idea immediately. "You should remain as this concerns you." There was a change in the countess`s demeanor. She gave her an instant grateful smile and did not hesitate to take a seat. It was show time and Gabrelle knew that procrastination was a stain that will remain until it is cleaned off immediately. She gave them an encouraging smile, but it was not enough because she knew that the task on hand would not be accomplished with ease. Count Samsidion looked at her, awaiting her.
"I have deciphered my grandmother`s words." Two pairs of eyes looked at her in dire need. "It is not as simple as it is written but I think that it is doable." She paused, holding her breath before exhaling loudly. She did not how to proceed because she knew that they would just not understand her propriety. When she herself knew that it would be a difficult task then why did she say that it is doable.
"Well spit it out child." The countess was in a mountain heap of impatience.
Gabrelle cleared the annoying lump that irritated her throat. Well, it was not really there per say but it was a mechanism she mustered to improve her bad news delivery skill. "It is about a stone that has the most magnificent shadings of young grass blades that saturates with the morning dew and then upon the rays of the sunlight it turns to the blush of a burning horizon."
The countess was impatient, "And?" Her hands were flying all over the place. Count Samsidion grinned.
"After the stone is attained, it must be recreated to suit a piece of jeweler made of solid silver. An extra must be made, if possible, in case the original is lost."
Both the Countess and Count Samsidion shook their heads in acknowledgment. The cruncher and the explosion would follow soon enough.
"The one qualm would be is that the amulet must be bewitched by a witch that has power that rises from the sun and sets with the moon."
"What does that mean?" It was Count Samsidion that asked, his expression was void of any readable emotions.
"She must be an early riser and a late dreamer. A witch that believes the sun rays are naked to burn out the obstacle and the moon shall cool it down before it manifests all over again."
"Then the task is not as bad as your nervous gander had let us to almost suffocation." The countess proclaimed and she smiled a girth that held no warmth. This gave Gabrelle a thought. If they could accomplish this task, then she would leave forever but she also was afraid if they could trust her knowing their pitiful secret.
"But the stone…" Gabrelle was floundering, and she wanted it known that it would not be easy to acquire the stone. The witch would be nearly impossible to find. The countess did not look at all worried about all these hurdles that were critically guarding their path.
This time the countess did smile broadly with transformation from dark to bright, but it was Count Samsidion that provided the reply.
"If the stone you speak of is true to the description, then mother may know of its home." Gabrelle raised an eyebrow because the book was explicit that this stone could only be acquired from an overseas destination.
"My father was quite the wanderer in his time, and he was fascinated by everything beautiful. He was always picking up or bartering for unique items. This stone you speak about is most likely the one that we seek."
Gabrelle smiled; amazement mounted within her. Just how lucky can these aristocratic get but they were overlooking a major situation. The witch was almost a castle in the air kind of situation. She wanted to keep quiet, but a bubble had to be burst because reality was no longer a formality.
"The witch?" It was a squeak of a suggestion that she was hoping gets drowned in the silence of the castle.
The countess gave her a hard stare. "That is the least of my worries my dear." Gabrelle heard the tight confidence in her tone and awaited her further explanation. But she remained astray in the dispatch of her words. She gave her son her quiet look.
"I will have to go to the bank of Nottingham myself." Edginess was tearing her to shreds. "This is one time that I wish that you or your brother would accompany me but that is not possible." She gave Gabrelle a knock with her telepathic stare. "The child needs to stay here and prepare. I will also get the three amulets ready." She was pre planning the order of her tasks and Gabrelle did not hear anything about her getting a witch here.
"What do you suggest the amulet should be made into?" She was speaking and asking for Gabrelle`s advise.
"Perhaps we should get the opinion of the witch first." Gabrelle found a loophole to get the countess to wake up to the light that the amulet would mean nothing without the witch and the enchantment spell.
"Why dear child," It was conflagrant mocking from the countess. "Witches are tidy enough to be hidden beneath the rocks." She shrugged her shoulders. "The issue of trust is begotten and only a fool would spill her guts to a stranger." Gabrelle was a stranger, but she kept quiet; not endeavoring to oppose the powerful Countess. "You will find a way child because my children are counting on you."
"I don't quite understand." Gabrelle was haphazard as she gave out a blank mien.
The countess gave a harsh bark of laughter. "My dear when we have a witch standing right here in out parlor then pray tell why would be risk a chance of finding another."
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Gabrelle paced the floors of the room that she was given to rest her head. This situation had spiraled into a revolting nightmare. She was aching with worry and her nerves were shot enough to allow for her hand to shake. She sat down on the four-poster bed and tried to calm herself when the door opened. Count Samsidion strode to her side and squatted down so that his face would align with hers. He said nothing at first but the concern that animated his elongated and handsome face was sincere. There was something definitely happening between them.
"My mother can be quite the menace." It was a chill breaker, but Gabrelle could muster no smile. "She means well." He patted her hands with gentle elegance.
"I don't know," tears were spiking to allow for a full down pour of despair. "I am a just a mere healer." It was a whispery almost ghostly declaration.
Count Samsidion nodded his understanding. "But you are so much more than a healer Elle." There was a change in the atmospheric pressure. He had shortened her name because of the affection that it represented. Even though his body temperature was in deep competition with the tight snow of winter, Gabrelle felt the radiation of warmth come out of the fondness that he was projecting towards her.
"Elle you have to know that I…" It was an ill-fated time that at that very moment there was a hard tap on the door. Samsidion got up with the ease of a forest cat and composed himself. "Enter." He called out with a clear emission in authority.
It was his brother Thaneus that strode in looking all dapper in a tailcoat and a frilly shirt. "Brother is what mother had written to me about a talisman is true?" He looked eager, hope dazzling his carbon-colored eyes. His hair the shade of midnight was swept in an unruly fashion and clasped with a piece of ribbon. Thaneus was definitely the more handsome of the two brothers.
Count Samsidion opted to step in almost immediately. "It is what I am in discussion with the Lady Gabrelle with."
More excitement punctured the air with revivifying lightning. "Have you found the solution, Lady Gabrelle?" Gabrelle had a forlorn look of helplessness. This was going to so difficult for her. Everyone was counting on her offering the solution.
She had to say something instead of sitting like a fool. "I have deciphered my grandmother`s book and she has given a resolution to this ailment that you both carry." He was focused on her, his eyes not drooping for one silly second. He held onto her every word. "The Contessa has already left to execute the first phase of the plan but…" She shrugged, unable to find the words of explanation. She was drained out of all her words because if she had to see a hopeful face drown to disappointment, she won't be able to bare it. This pressure was too much for her to handle.
"Lady Gabrelle being a healer is unsure that she can be the witch that is needed to fulfil the charm." Count Samsidion always knew how to diffuse a fire by avoiding an inferno. Gabrelle was grateful for his intervention.
"Is that why you are looking as though you have lost your favorite cat?" Count Thaneus was a master of making light of a situation. He helped himself to a seat next to her and affectionately put his arms around her. "It is in your blood," He was kind and used his words with generosity. "Should you fail, we cannot lay a blame towards you because you have been showering us with kindness." His expectations had dropped a ton, but his encouragement was unfaltering. Gabrelle felt a pride sweep her over with a summation that told her that there was no harm in trying. The two Counts were so easy to speak to, but it was the mother that was the one that scared Gabrelle.
"I have not seen any incantation in the book." She admitted freely. She did not want to completely give up. "I have not read and deciphered the complete book." It was a lame come back but she had nothing else to give.
Thaneus was obviously a man that did not care about throwing in the towel too early. "Then once the first light comes tomorrow you read the book again." He let his arms fall off her shoulders and Samsidion was back in front of her squatting.
"You are right little brother." He turned his gaze to the younger version of his print. "Elle is the one that can help us. I have full faith in her capabilities." More pressure was piling on only this time Gabrelle had confidence striding in her and the mere fact that the two brothers supported her motivated her to look for incantation. She had come this far, and she knew that if she applied herself, she would be able to try. She nodded her head in agreement and the automatically her tears dried and disappeared back into their ducts.
"Brother we should go and attend to that situation that we have." Count Thaneus was proficient intact, and Gabrelle knew that he was probably referring to hunting a meal. That thought just poured out sickness from within her. It was sheer luck that she did not wretch right there on the lovely rug. Count Samsidion stood up and looked at her. It was the first time that she saw the gentile elopement of a man that cared give her that loving look. He did not wear guilt on his face and while she knew that he needed to suck human blood, she also knew that it was for survival. For now, the little minions that coerced questions in her head had to be ignored. She did not want to enter a debating contest with herself that will break her from hurt. She smiled at him and then turned to Count Thaneus.
"Thank you Count Thaneus." Her sincerity did not lack a surmount of joy. Suddenly that loneliness of failure seemed to retreat bringing forward a motion that would enable success. She then broke out in all smiles as her eyes met Samsidion. She was falling hard for him, and her heart raced faster than a buggy ride. He looked at her with encouragement and his eyes spoke volumes. There was a promise that he would complete what he had started before. She nodded and he left with his brother. The lamp still had life as it glowed. She picked up the pillow and retrieved the book, turning the pages with more gentleness. It was a bit difficult to read and adjusting to such a dim light. Before she knew it, she had fallen asleep with the book in her arms. Her dreams of recent were fueled with larks of happiness and on this night her mother and grandmother came to her in peals of laughter and happiness. Gabrelle was immersed into this vibe that made her so warm and she did not want to ever awake from it. There were flashes of Count Samsidion who was waving at her from across a meadow and then he faded, returned, faded. It was uncanny and then the countess Arabella came into her dream. Her face was framed by a structure of refinement and coldness. Her eyes gave off a warning and then she scolded her. "MY SON IS OUT OF BOUNDARY" She was hissing, and Gabrelle mood of elation had run out. She groaned in her deepened sleep, pleading with her subconscious to allow her the pleasure of seeing her kin once more but there was nothing but a tomb of darkness that gave her a restless sleep. However, she did awake once or twice in the night, and she could have sworn that Count Samsidion watched her but then she was fragmented by the thought that perhaps it was all an illusion.
The morning returned only this time void of any sunlight. The rain came in torrents and the thunder rolled to a boisterous drumbeat. Gabrelle walked bare foot to the window, and she watched Samsidion and his brother walk the fields. This was their time. She smiled beautifully and he looked up to see her watching them. Thaneus also looked up and waved at her to which she returned it enthusiastically. She relieved herself in the pale and just in time a lady in waiting knocked and came in. They were serving her breakfast in the room because the countess was not there for an elaborate sit down. It was hearty and refreshing. She needed a bath but today no bath was brought in for her. Instead, the maid came in with a dish of steaming water and a pail. She explained that it was difficult to go out in the rain and gather enough water to fill up the wooden tub. Gabrelle acknowledged her hard work and thanked her for the water. She did not have much in clothing but today she dressed in one of her mother's dresses. Suddenly Gabrelle felt frumpy in her old frocks, and she wanted to make an impression. Feeling that she had before catapulted her and frowned upon the fact that she was a poor country bumpkin. She took her time in ease as she washed her face many times before dressing up. She took extra time to neatly braid her hair and only once she was satisfied, she peered into a mirror. She looked better than yesterday, but she still remained that same girl. The light was not as dim as the underground rooms, so she decided to sit in her room and go over the book like a fine-tooth comb. It was not an overly large book, neither where there many pages but the content was an eye blinker that had the reader in knots of understanding. Gabrelle paged through but many pages did not make sense. It was like reading blank pages. She was at it for quite a while until a harsh door knock gave her a jolt.
"Enter." She summoned her visitor easily and she was overjoyed as Count Samsidion had strolled in. He had changed his clothes to cloth that resembled a light sand, but his hair was still wet giving an indication that he was out in the rain.
"The rain is so wonderful." He enthused as he came and took a seat next to her. "I was getting tired of all that unwanted sunlight and being stuck in doors."
Gabrelle was still not quite used to being seated to such close proximities, but she gave him her best supportive smile.
"Are you making any progress?" He was not pushing her, but his tender probing could not help but linger on being anxious.
She pouted; her frown was evident, and she wished that she could turn that frown upside down. "I am trying." She spoke with a heavy heart. "I have read this book over and over again and yet I cannot see any incantations." He gave her a loving tap on her hand.
"If it is meant for you to see it then you shall." Gabrelle loved the positivity that he evoked. "Elle." He was nervous and something told her that he was about to finish the conversation from the night before when they were interrupted. "There is something of importance that I must discuss with you." Her heart rate accelerated. She waited with bated breath, and she knew that no matter the consequence she did not care.
"From the moment my eyes laid upon your soul I wanted to protect you." She recalled his fury as he demanded off his mother about her presence.
He read her mind. "I was not upset that you would be a temptation." He was grinning with a joyous mirth that spelled happy thoughts. "I found a niche inside me that felt very protective over you." His explanation was adequate, and Gabrelle was sailing the skies. Who would have thought that the peasant girl Gabrelle St. James would be a contender for a Count`s attention? "I know this is wrong, but I am developing emotions of love that are being targeted at you." Gabrelle leaned against him and placed her head on his shoulders. He was frozen but she did not care about that because he was the fire her soul had been searching for. "I cannot ask you to reciprocate." He was falling into a well of defeat.
"Why?" Her murmur was pliantly soft, but his hearing was supersonic quick.
He was sad as he placed his arm around her. "You have your entire life in front of you and I am nothing but a shell that is empty." She lifted her head of his shoulders and turned to face him. Her eyes melted in pain for him, but her heart was desirous of him.
"You are still existing. Talking to me and if we manage an amulet, you will be able to face the world at any given moment."
He was bitter. The lace of poison was rearing its ugly head. "I cannot steal your life from you. What about young ones?"
She shrugged; maybe she did not want that. Maybe she did, her thoughts were bitterly flying all over, but she knew that she needed him at that very moment. "I give myself to you Sam." She shocked herself by this generous gesture. She took his hand and placed it over her left breast. "Do you hear the pounding of my heart? She listens only to your voice to feel an excitement that makes me want to live."
He was not going to give into her so easily. "I know in the beginning that you disliked and distrusted my kind."
She knew that it was something that she could not change. "Am I not allowed to have a change of heart?" Her challenge was thrown in the air for him to straight out catch it.
His lips grazed over her hair and Gabrelle felt a jolt of exhilaration caress her belly. "Let it be Sam and don't think too much. Nothing can be promised for tomorrow." It was her kindness for him to let go of his anguished worries. His grip tightened around in the show of possessiveness. Gabrelle had heard about being kissed when she was around Heidi and other friends, but she also knew that with a kiss came a baby, so she was glad that Samsidion did not kiss her but let his lips run over her hair. They sat like that for what seemed a long time and Gabrelle did not want to break his embrace until she realized that she had a task to fulfil. Eventually she eased herself off his arms and his groaning told her that he was not ready to separate.
"I need to find that incantation." She was shy as she explained, and he nodded. She expected him to leave the room; instead, he dragged a chair to the window and took a seat with his eyes straining the pellets of rain. Gabrelle got caught up in the reading but from time to time she picked up her head to watch him immersed in his own thoughts. She knew that he was fighting a battle of his conscience, but she did not dare go to him. She was not sure how long the countess would take but she needed to get to work. Countess Arabella had seemed to be a straight shooter that had shown her some warmth until she saw an affection shift between Gabrelle and her son. It was then that her claws sharpened and came out. Gabrelle had felt an inch of fear for her, but she knew that Samsidion would be all the protection that she needed. She had gone through the book many times and still nothing. Her stomach growled as the day was fading away fast. The rain had stopped and Samsidion still stared out of the window. It would be impolite for her to ask to be served with food, so she tucked her hunger pangs away. She was about to close the book until her finger grazed the open side opposite the spine. The one page felt oddly thicker as though tow pages ensembled one. She gave herself an extra quick breath of anticipation. It was definitely a thicker page, and she could not understand how she had missed it. "Sam!" Her exclamation was far from soft, and she jumped off the bed to join him at the window. He looked up and dragged her onto his lap.
"What is it my love?"
She thrust the book in his hand. "Look at this page. Its thicker than the others."
He thumbed the page and his eyes rounded to saucers. He tried to pry them apart, but nothing happened. He took helped off his lap and ran out of the door only to return almost immediately. He had brought a blade and before she could caution him to proceed with a still ease, he had done so. The pages were separated and there in her grandmother`s writing the spell was alive and well.